Household Medicine Return Program

Page Content

It's time to change the way our community thinks about prescription drugs

Medication plays a crucial role in how we care for ourselves and each other, but consumers often don't think about the responsibilities of owning drugs. If stored in the home, medications can make their way into the wrong hands. If not disposed of properly, medication can pollute our waterways, drinking water, and Bellingham Bay.

Do NOT flush, trash, or store unwanted, unused, or expired medications

Prevent Accidental PoisoningsClean out medicine cabinets to reduce the risk of accidental misuse and exposure to children. Overdoses from prescription narcotics are a leading cause of death in Washington State. Abuse of narcotic pain relievers is rapidly increasing and half of prescription drug abusers report obtaining the drug from a friend or relative.

Protect Our WaterMedications sent down toilets or sink drains can get into our bay, adversely affecting fish and aquatic wildlife. Medicine placed in trash cans ends up in landfills and can leach into ground water.

Return Household Medications

Expired and unwanted medications may be dropped off at participating pharmacies. Narcotics and other controlled substances must be taken to law enforcement. There is no fee for this service.

How to return your medicines

Check the Accepted Items list.

Leave medicines in their original containers.

Mark out any personal information, if you wish.

Take medicine to pharmacy counter.

Pharmacies cannot accept controlled substances.

Take controlled substances to a participating law enforcement location.

Development of these materials was made possible through a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology.

Awards

The City of Bellingham Medicine Return Program received the "Hazardous Materials Program Excellence Award" from the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA), Northwest Chapter, in 2013.